Deputy Mayor Steve Koch recently welcomed Jan Dziedziczak, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Poland to Chicago. During the visit they discussed Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s support and involvement with the Polish community during his time in office, demographic trends of the community in Chicago and around the country, as well as ways to strengthen Chicago’s first Sister City relationship with Warsaw.
“Poland is one of Chicago’s oldest and strongest international partners,” Mayor Emanuel said. “Polish-Americans have shaped Chicago’s culture and strengthened its economy for generations, and by maintaining strong ties to Poland we can keep that progress going for years to come.”
Chicago and Poland have strong cultural and economic ties. Total trade between the cities is approximately $556 million annually; and nearly 690,000 people of Polish ethnicity live in the Chicagoland area with more than 138,000 in Chicago alone. That makes Chicago equivalent to the fourth largest Polish city after Warsaw, Kraków and Łódź. Warsaw became Chicago’s first sister city in 1960.
Chicago is home to many Polish American organizations and the city of Chicago has a close relationship with the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland. Chicago Public Schools has instituted a Polish history curriculum, and next month Chicago will celebrate Casimir Pulaski Day.
In October Mayor Emanuel joined leaders from Chicago’s Polish American community to celebrate Polish American Heritage Month. Last June Last June, Mayor Emanuel met with Polish leaders for a roundtable to discuss issues impacting the community. Participating organizations included the Polish American Association, Copernicus Foundation, Polish Roman Catholic Union, Polish Women’s Alliance, Polish Museum of America, Polish American Police Association, Polish American Chamber of Commerce, and Polish American Congress.
(Office of the Mayor of Chicago)
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Alicja Otap
